
VAPOR RECOVERY AROUND THE WORLD Page 2 Europe Vaconovent unit shown was installed in Herrsching, Germany. The station has a gasoline throughput of approx. 175,000 gallons per month. Photo courtesy of Vacono, GKSS and ARID Technologies. ARID's membrane system incorporates hydrocarbon-selective membranes developed by GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH, a federally-funded research institute located near Hamburg, Germany (www.gkss.de). The following US patents related to the membrane technology are owned, assigned to or licensed by ARID: 4,994,094; 5,537,911; 5,220,799; 5,367,882; and 6,059,856. In addition, ARID has an agreement with GKSS for the joint development and technical support for providing continuous improvements in the technology and exploring gas separation applications for selectively permeable membranes. Without liquid spillage, overall recovery efficiency is greater than 96 percent, which means that the efficiency of the back-end membrane unit is about 98 or 99 percent. Additional information on the study may be obtained from TUV Rheinland at www.tuevrheinland.de/enghome.htm. Presently, multiple membrane units are operating in Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the UK. In Luxembourg, based on the significant TUV report results, the membrane vapor recovery system is considered best available technology (BAT) and all new stations being constructed in densely populated areas must use the system. Additional information on the Luxembourg requirements may be obtained by contacting the Luxembourg Ministry of Environment; www.mev.etat.lu/ home.html. The units' performance in Luxembourg are being monitored in the framework of a "DGMK project". DGMK is a technical organization that conducts projects for all the German oil companies. The vent and fugitive emissions generated at select sites are being quantified by the use of a novel optical technique developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer research institute. In essence, a control volume will be formed by placing laser sources and sensors on the boundary of a service station. Hydrocarbon molecules entering and exiting the control volume will be measured and an emission factor will be tabulated. Results from this leading-edge laser diffraction technique are expected in August 2000. Bulk terminal gasoline vapor recovery systems using larger scale versions of the GKSS membranes have been successfully operating throughout the world since 1989. Each of the 66 systems installed since 1989 has been consistently operating in tank farms and ship loading terminals without any membrane replacements. The performance and long-term stability of these hydrocarbon-selective membranes are commercially proven; such systems are considered an established technology in Europe. Asia/Oceania This region's refineries produce relatively high RVP gasoline with high levels of benzene. The relatively warm climate results in high storage tank temperatures that generate correspondingly high evaporative losses. Typically, the dealer's own the product in the tanks and, therefore, suffer the loss from evaporation. The supplier's have no immediate incentive to reduce these losses and they typically control the hardware installed at the dealer's site. Some dealers in Australia have complained about buying product at high temperatures and selling the same product at reduced temperatures. The associated volume reduction means that they cannot resell the same volume of product that they originally purchased. Ironically, current Australian regulations (AS1940) do not allow pressure/vacuum relief vents on gasoline storage tanks. Such vents would allow for more efficient Stage I vapor recovery and also the use of a membrane processor to reduce the significant evaporative losses. It is well known that gasoline blends expand about 0.7 percent per 10 F temperature rise. This effect is important when conducting an inventory reconciliation. If corrections are not made for this effect, significant errors can result. To closely monitor the temperature differential effect on inventory and to ensure that one is operating a relatively leak free system, statistical inventory reconciliation and tank testing services are in widespread use throughout the world. They are especially important as a business management tool in Asia and Oceania. As you would expect, interest in wet stock control and evaporative loss reduction is high, even though only one Asian country has Stage II requirements in place. In this regard, ARID is collaborating with an Australian firm named RedOne. RedOne has developed a statistical algorithm that is used to conduct monthly statistical inventory reconciliation (SIR) for gasoline stations. RedOne's model accounts for normal variations in bulk terminal and retail dispenser meters; temperature differentials; water ingress; product leaks from the tank and piping; evaporative losses; tank calibration chart inaccuracies; and tank level recording errors. Once identified, the effects of these errors are eliminated from the data to identify the actual loss trend, if any, that may exist. The consistent negative trending for evaporative losses in the RedOne analysis corresponds closely to the losses predicted using ARID's Evaporative Loss Model. RedOne also is collaborating with a tank testing company called Masstech. If the corrected inventory discrepancy values calculated by RedOne are consistently outside of the expected normal variation limits, detailed tank and product line testing must be done to ensure that liquid leaks are not present. The Masstech tank integrity test measures changes in fuel mass, instead of the fuel level, in a tank. Therefore, small level changes due to temperature do not affect test results' accuracy. The combined RedOne/Masstech/ARID service package provides petroleum marketers with continuous wet stock inventory management and control capabilities. The savings of salable product from using the membrane vapor recovery technology are more than enough to finance the RedOne and Masstech services. More information on vapor recovery activities in the Asia/Oceania region can be obtained from Mr. Reed Leighton at reedleighton@lob.com.au. Hong Kong Some dealers in Hong Kong receive up to a 1.0 percent rebate from suppliers to offset losses due largely to evaporation from their storage tanks. Stage I regulations were recently promulgated by Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department (EPD). Stage II requirements are currently being discussed. The primary driving force for these regulations was a toxicological study showing increased levels of benzene in the bloodstream of individuals living close to gasoline refueling stations. The adverse health effects of benzene, a carcinogen, are well known. More information on the toxicological study may be obtained by contacting Mr. Kwan-yu Wong, EPD Hong Kong (852) 2594 6245; Mr. SL Leung (852) 2594 6252; Mr. Shi-kwan Cham (852) 2594 6236; or Mr. Sam Ma, klma@netvigator.com. South America, Latin America & South Africa ARID has been collaborating with RedOne/Masstech licensees operating in South America, Latin America (including the Caribbean and Bermuda) and South Africa. While Stage II regulations have yet to be promulgated in most of these regions, a strong incentive exists to reduce storage tank evaporative losses due to the relatively high pump prices for fuel. Major oil companies operating in these regions have recently been more aggressive in implementing SIR and tank testing technologies. The next logical step is to incorporate back-end vapor recovery equipment to reduce evaporative losses. Status of CARB certification For uncontrolled stations (those not required to have Stage II vapor recovery), the membrane technology is not required to be certified by CARB. Retrofitting Stage II stations, however, will require the use of equipment certified under the new CARB rules. The new CARB rules are subject to revision as public comments are received and 15-day changes may be made. ARID is waiting for clear specifications to be adopted by CARB before making costly changes to comply with a standard that may be altered without advance warning. ARID has asked CARB for a standard certification protocol. Back to previous page Back to ABOUT page

VAPOR RECOVERY AROUND THE WORLD

Page 2

Europe

Vaconovent unit shown was installed in Herrsching, Germany. The station has a gasoline throughput of approx. 175,000 gallons per month.

Photo courtesy of Vacono, GKSS and ARID Technologies.

ARID's membrane system incorporates hydrocarbon-selective membranes developed by GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH, a federally-funded research institute located near Hamburg, Germany (www.gkss.de). The following US patents related to the membrane technology are owned, assigned to or licensed by ARID: 4,994,094; 5,537,911; 5,220,799; 5,367,882; and 6,059,856. In addition, ARID has an agreement with GKSS for the joint development and technical support for providing continuous improvements in the technology and exploring gas separation applications for selectively permeable membranes.

Without liquid spillage, overall recovery efficiency is greater than 96 percent, which means that the efficiency of the back-end membrane unit is about 98 or 99 percent. Additional information on the study may be obtained from TUV Rheinland at www.tuevrheinland.de/enghome.htm. Presently, multiple membrane units are operating in Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the UK.

In Luxembourg, based on the significant TUV report results, the membrane vapor recovery system is considered best available technology (BAT) and all new stations being constructed in densely populated areas must use the system. Additional information on the Luxembourg requirements may be obtained by contacting the Luxembourg Ministry of Environment; www.mev.etat.lu/ home.html.

The units' performance in Luxembourg are being monitored in the framework of a "DGMK project". DGMK is a technical organization that conducts projects for all the German oil companies. The vent and fugitive emissions generated at select sites are being quantified by the use of a novel optical technique developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer research institute. In essence, a control volume will be formed by placing laser sources and sensors on the boundary of a service station. Hydrocarbon molecules entering and exiting the control volume will be measured and an emission factor will be tabulated. Results from this leading-edge laser diffraction technique are expected in August 2000.

Bulk terminal gasoline vapor recovery systems using larger scale versions of the GKSS membranes have been successfully operating throughout the world since 1989. Each of the 66 systems installed since 1989 has been consistently operating in tank farms and ship loading terminals without any membrane replacements. The performance and long-term stability of these hydrocarbon-selective membranes are commercially proven; such systems are considered an established technology in Europe.

Asia/Oceania

This region's refineries produce relatively high RVP gasoline with high levels of benzene. The relatively warm climate results in high storage tank temperatures that generate correspondingly high evaporative losses. Typically, the dealer's own the product in the tanks and, therefore, suffer the loss from evaporation. The supplier's have no immediate incentive to reduce these losses and they typically control the hardware installed at the dealer's site.

Some dealers in Australia have complained about buying product at high temperatures and selling the same product at reduced temperatures. The associated volume reduction means that they cannot resell the same volume of product that they originally purchased. Ironically, current Australian regulations (AS1940) do not allow pressure/vacuum relief vents on gasoline storage tanks. Such vents would allow for more efficient Stage I vapor recovery and also the use of a membrane processor to reduce the significant evaporative losses.

It is well known that gasoline blends expand about 0.7 percent per 10 F temperature rise. This effect is important when conducting an inventory reconciliation. If corrections are not made for this effect, significant errors can result. To closely monitor the temperature differential effect on inventory and to ensure that one is operating a relatively leak free system, statistical inventory reconciliation and tank testing services are in widespread use throughout the world. They are especially important as a business management tool in Asia and Oceania.

As you would expect, interest in wet stock control and evaporative loss reduction is high, even though only one Asian country has Stage II requirements in place. In this regard, ARID is collaborating with an Australian firm named RedOne. RedOne has developed a statistical algorithm that is used to conduct monthly statistical inventory reconciliation (SIR) for gasoline stations. RedOne's model accounts for normal variations in bulk terminal and retail dispenser meters; temperature differentials; water ingress; product leaks from the tank and piping; evaporative losses; tank calibration chart inaccuracies; and tank level recording errors.

Once identified, the effects of these errors are eliminated from the data to identify the actual loss trend, if any, that may exist. The consistent negative trending for evaporative losses in the RedOne analysis corresponds closely to the losses predicted using ARID's Evaporative Loss Model.

RedOne also is collaborating with a tank testing company called Masstech. If the corrected inventory discrepancy values calculated by RedOne are consistently outside of the expected normal variation limits, detailed tank and product line testing must be done to ensure that liquid leaks are not present.

The Masstech tank integrity test measures changes in fuel mass, instead of the fuel level, in a tank. Therefore, small level changes due to temperature do not affect test results' accuracy. The combined RedOne/Masstech/ARID service package provides petroleum marketers with continuous wet stock inventory management and control capabilities. The savings of salable product from using the membrane vapor recovery technology are more than enough to finance the RedOne and Masstech services.

More information on vapor recovery activities in the Asia/Oceania region can be obtained from Mr. Reed Leighton at reedleighton@lob.com.au.

Hong Kong

Some dealers in Hong Kong receive up to a 1.0 percent rebate from suppliers to offset losses due largely to evaporation from their storage tanks. Stage I regulations were recently promulgated by Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department (EPD). Stage II requirements are currently being discussed.

The primary driving force for these regulations was a toxicological study showing increased levels of benzene in the bloodstream of individuals living close to gasoline refueling stations. The adverse health effects of benzene, a carcinogen, are well known. More information on the toxicological study may be obtained by contacting Mr. Kwan-yu Wong, EPD Hong Kong (852) 2594 6245; Mr. SL Leung (852) 2594 6252; Mr. Shi-kwan Cham (852) 2594 6236; or Mr. Sam Ma, klma@netvigator.com.

South America, Latin America & South Africa

ARID has been collaborating with RedOne/Masstech licensees operating in South America, Latin America (including the Caribbean and Bermuda) and South Africa. While Stage II regulations have yet to be promulgated in most of these regions, a strong incentive exists to reduce storage tank evaporative losses due to the relatively high pump prices for fuel. Major oil companies operating in these regions have recently been more aggressive in implementing SIR and tank testing technologies. The next logical step is to incorporate back-end vapor recovery equipment to reduce evaporative losses.

Status of CARB certification

For uncontrolled stations (those not required to have Stage II vapor recovery), the membrane technology is not required to be certified by CARB.

Retrofitting Stage II stations, however, will require the use of equipment certified under the new CARB rules. The new CARB rules are subject to revision as public comments are received and 15-day changes may be made. ARID is waiting for clear specifications to be adopted by CARB before making costly changes to comply with a standard that may be altered without advance warning. ARID has asked CARB for a standard certification protocol.

Back to previous page Back to ABOUT page

Home About Our Products Our Customers News & Events Contact Us

Your use of this Site will be considered evidence of your agreement to the terms contained in the Terms of Use set forth below. While efforts have been made to make this Site helpful and accurate to those interested in the Permeator, CRU Membrane and other ARID Tech products, due to the need to obtain considerable amounts of information from third parties and the potential for errors, ARID Technologies, Inc. does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of information obtained from this Site. All information provided on this Site is subject to change without notice or liability. More...